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DNA clears man after wrongful rape conviction in 1975

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

By WABC via CNNWHITE PLAINS, New York (WABC) — The last time Leonard Mack walked into the Westchester County Courthouse he was in handcuffs, about to be sentenced to prison for rape. Tuesday, was different.“After 48 years, I’m finally going to get closure to this and clear my name,” he said.In 1975, the Vietnam veteran was charged with tying up two high school students at gunpoint, brutally raping one of them.He was identified after questionable police tactics: his clothing was changed to match the description of the suspect, and his picture was the only Black man included in a photo array.“People just don’t know how it feels to be accused of something you didn’t do,” he said.Mack, 72, served his entire 7-and-a-half-year sentence but kept fighting to clear his name.The Innocence Project took up the case and the Westchester District Attorney Office’s Conviction Review Unit had DNA evidence tested, something that didn’t exist...

Three days before Oakland homicide, judge denied probation’s request to jail suspect for alleged pretrial release violations in prior shooting case

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

OAKLAND — Just three days before Paul Faaui allegedly shot and killed a 32-year-old man outside of a laundromat on Bancroft Avenue, Faaui was in court, where a probation officer was attempting to jail him for alleged pretrial release violations involving a device used to verify Faaui’s sobriety.The probation officer argued that starting in late July, Faaui had failed to take mandatory breathalyzer tests for 11 days, and that the day after a judge denied a request to terminate his pretrial release, Faaui had failed a breathalyzer test that recorded his blood alcohol content at an unbelievably high level of .507, more than 60 times the legal limit. The terms of Faaui’s pretrial release included a prohibition on consuming alcohol and requirements to regularly check in with the pretrial services department, neither of which Faaui was doing, the officer argued.Judge James Cramer denied the probation officer’s request, but reminded Faaui of his requirements and tol...

Single-family residence sells in Oakland for $1.6 million

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

1715 Alhambra Lane – Google Street ViewA spacious house located in the 1700 block of Alhambra Lane in Oakland has new owners. The 2,998-square-foot property, built in 1991, was sold on July 10, 2023, for $1,600,000, or $534 per square foot. This single-story house offers a roomy layout with four bedrooms and three bathrooms. In addition, the home includes a two-car garage, ensuring ample room for parking and storage.These nearby houses have also recently been sold:In April 2023, a 1,315-square-foot home on Thornhill Drive in Oakland sold for $1,500,000, a price per square foot of $1,141. The home has 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms.On Mazuela Drive, Oakland, in March 2022, a 3,425-square-foot home was sold for $2,412,000, a price per square foot of $704. The home has 4 bedrooms.A 2,577-square-foot home on the 6100 block of Aspinwall Road in Oakland sold in September 2022, for $1,575,000, a price per square foot of $611. The home has 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. 

More suspects arrested in alleged South Bay smoke shop burglary spree

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

SAN JOSE — Police announced the arrests of more suspects linked to a string of burglaries at South Bay smoke shops that began with stolen cars being used to smash through locked storefronts.San Jose police said in a news release on Tuesday that the department investigated 26 burglaries between March and August — many of which targeted smoke shops. During the investigation, police identified six minors and a 45-year-old man that they believed to be suspects in the burglaries.After arrest and search warrants were obtained, police arrested the suspects in San Jose on Aug. 30. The searches yielded two firearms and evidence related to the burglaries, police said.The minors were arrested on suspicion of burglary and firearm violations. The 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of firearm and narcotic violations and child endangerment, police said.“Our Officers and Detectives tirelessly conducted follow up and gathered evidence to ensure the dozens of affected businesses receive ...

Consumer group seeks California attorney general probe of home insurer “collusion” in market pullback

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

A consumer group on Tuesday called on state Attorney General Rob Bonta to investigate whether insurance companies coordinated a massive pullback from covering California homes over the past year to pressure state officials into loosening regulations and allowing higher rates in violation of antitrust laws.Consumer Watchdog, whose founder Harvey Rosenfield authored the state’s 1988 Proposition 103 voter revolt that rolled back insurance rates and required state approval for increases, wrote in a Sept. 5 letter to Bonta that insurers appear to have engaged in illegal collusion to destabilize the insurance market.“Insurance companies doing business in California are orchestrating shortages to pressure state officials to boost insurance premiums and authorize a massive bailout of the insurance industry that will likely cost Californians billions,” the letter states. “We urge your immediate action to protect California consumers and businesses, and our economy, ag...

Oakland: Skyline High School campus locked down, 2 detained after shooting

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

OAKLAND — Two people were detained Tuesday morning after shots were fired on the campus at Skyline High School.No one was reported injured.The shooting was reported at about 11:19 a.m. near the theater area of the campus.Police said that two people were detained at the scene and a gun was recovered. What prompted the shooting was under investigation.Related ArticlesCrime and Public Safety | Innocent bystander walking her dog is hit by gunfire in Oakland Crime and Public Safety | I-580 Westbound Oakland traffic jammed as police investigate possible highway shooting Crime and Public Safety | Man fatally shot in East Oakland late Friday night Crime and Public Safety | Teenager shot and killed in Richmond’s Iron Triangle neighborhood Crime and Public Safety | Vacaville man charged with attempted murder in Lafayette freeway shooting The school was placed on a lockdown, which was still in effect as of 11...

Skyline High in Oakland on lockdown amid reports of shots fired, suspects detained

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

(KRON) -- The Oakland Police Department is investigating a report of shots fired near Skyline High School, the department posted Tuesday. OPD's Communications Division received a call just before 11:30 a.m. reporting shots fired in the area.Officers responded to the scene but did not find any victims of gunfire. The campus was placed under lockdown, according to OPD.In a preliminary investigation, officers located and detained individuals believed to be connected to the shooting. A firearm was also recovered.Police declined to release any further details, but said the investigation was ongoing. Skyline High is located at 12250 Skyline Boulevard.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Israeli military kills 2 Palestinians in West Bank, a militant in an army raid and a teenage gunman

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli troops killed a Palestinian militant during an army raid in the West Bank on Tuesday, Palestinian health officials said, while elsewhere in the occupied territory a teenage Palestinian gunman opened fire at Israeli soldiers, wounding one before being shot and killed. The events marked the latest violence to roil the territory during one of the most violent stretches of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in nearly two decades. Israel has pressed on with near-nightly raids in the West Bank while Palestinian militants have ramped up shooting attacks against Israelis.The early morning military raid into the Nur Shams refugee camp near the northern West Bank city of Tulkarem on Tuesday prompted a firefight between Israeli troops and Palestinian militants. The army said troops found and demolished an explosives stockpile. Residents shared videos of bulldozers ripping off all the asphalt on the camp’s main road.The army also said that soldiers came under attack...

Chiefs’ All-Pro TE Travis Kelce hyperextends knee in practice for opener vs Detroit

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Travis Kelce hyperextended his knee during the Chiefs’ final practice before their opener against Detroit, leaving the status of the All-Pro tight end in question when Kansas City faces the Lions on Thursday night at Arrowhead Stadium.Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the injury occurred during their final full workout Tuesday but provided no other details. Players in the locker room said Kelce was hurt on a play in the red zone but was able to limp off the field on his own.“We’ll just see how he does going forward,” Reid said.The 33-year-old Kelce has not missed a game to injury since his rookie season in 2013, when a microfracture procedure to fix a cartilage problem in his knee ended it after one game. He has twice skipped meaningless games to end the regular season.“I was in on that play (that Kelce was hurt),” Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore said Tuesday. “I was talking to somebody and he was limping, just walking off the field. It was a good...

Two roofs at the US Open were partially shut because of rising heat and humidity

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 14:47:49 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — The roofs on the two main U.S. Open stadiums were partly shut on Tuesday because of rising heat and humidity.“The decision in both instances was made to provide relief from the sun and heat for the fans,” the U.S. Tennis Association said in a statement. “By partially closing the roofs, both courts became shaded, which improved conditions for the players.”The temperature topped 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) and the humidity was above 50%.The retractable roof above Arthur Ashe Stadium was partially closed ahead of the men’s quarterfinal between Novak Djokovic and Taylor Fritz.The roof on Louis Armstrong Stadium also was pulled part of the way closed after the first set of a women’s doubles quarterfinal with Magda Linette and Bernarda Pera against Jennifer Brady and Luisa Stefani.The USTA said tournament referee Jake Garner made the decision to slide the covers to provide additional shade.___AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennisSource